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Dear subscribers,
I thank again for your help and your support.
In this newsletter you find some information about the topics active, chemicals and
disease, congress, countries, court/USA, Europe, European Parliament, politic
international, online-search.
When you want to unsubscribe this newsletter, please send me an email.
I wish you a wonderful springtime without any viruses.
Best greetings
Ingrid Scherrmann
Fuchsfeldstr. 50
D-88416 Ochsenhausen
phone: + 49 7352 940529
fax: + 49 7352 4392
email: info@safer-world.org
web: http://www.safer-world.org
SAFER WORLD is a private independent
international internet-network for a safer environment.
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CHEMICALs and DISEASE
Former EPA Official Will Form Environmental Integrity Project
Pollution from eight utility companies cited by the Justice Department in 1999 and
2000 for violating the Clean Air Act leads to nearly 6,000 premature deaths yearly,
according to a report released today. The analysis also estimates that pollutants
from these companies lead to 140,000 asthma attacks and 14,000
cases of acute bronchitis every year.
The study was prepared by Abt Associates (http://www.abtassoc.com), one of the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) primary technical consultants on clean air. http://www.mapcruzin.com/news/rtk041702a.htm
for links and full report.
-----
Asthmatics Show Diverse Response to Inhaled Corticosteroids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 04 - Asthma patients exhibit marked individual differences
in response to treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate or fluticasone propionate, and
as many as a third may show no significant improvement in lung function (FEV1). http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/431218
-----
New Asthma Report out from CDC.
A new report on the incidence of Asthma was just released by CDC. It is available
at:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5101a1.htm
-----
Saturday, 23 March, 2002, Pill increases breast cancer risk
Older women are most at risk from the Pill
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1887000/1887665.stm
-----
03 April 2002 It's official: shabby carpets can damage your career
By Steve Connor, Science Editor, 03 April 2002
Forget bigger salaries, company cars and Christmas bonuses. Scientists have discovered a
simple way to improve a worker's motivation - change the office carpet. Odours given off
by old carpets can be so subconsciously pungent that they can affect productivity, a study
says.
http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=281058
-----
Clean Water Fund's Home-SAFE-Home -
http://www.cleanwaterfund.org/SafeHome.htm
-----
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from carbonless copy paper and from an epoxy
compound caused by diethylenetriamine (DETA)
Författare/Author: Kanerva, Lasse ; Jolanki, Riitta ; Estlander, Tuula ; Tarvainen,
Kyllikki ; Henriks-Eckerman, Maj-Len
Källa/Source: Ingår i: Resuméer mm / 39. Nordiska Arbetsmiljömötet, 12.-14. september
1990, Tavastehus, Helsingfors, Institutet för arbetshygien, 1990, s. 226-227 ; ISBN
951-801-787-5
Institution/Organisation: Institutet för arbetshygien (Finland)
Nyckelord: Aminer ; Självkopierande papper ; Allergisk kontaktdermatit ; Epoxyföreningar
Keywords: Amines ; Carbonless copy paper ; Dermatitis, contact, allergic ; Epoxy compounds
Document type: Conference paper
Språk/Language: English
http://www.niwl.se/WAIS/30200/30200800.htm
-----
Schantz, S. and Widholm, J., 2001.
Cognitive effects of endocrine- disrupting chemicals in animals.
Environmental Health Perspectives 109: 1197-1206.
A large number of chemical pollutants including phthalates, alkylphenolic compounds,
polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, organochlorine
pesticides, bisphenol A, and metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium have
the ability to disrupt endocrine function in animals. Some of
these same chemicals have been shown to alter cognitive function in animals and
humans. Because hormonally mediated events play a central role in central nervous
system development and function, a
number of researchers have speculated that the changes in cognitive function are
mediated by the endocrine-like actions of these chemicals. In this paper we review
the evidence that
cognitive effects of chemicals classified as environmental endocrine disruptors are
mediated by changes in hormonal function. We begin by briefly reviewing the role of
gonadal steroids, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids in brain development and
brain function. We then review the endocrine changes and cognitive effects
that have been reported for selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals, discuss the
evidence for causal relationships between endocrine disruption and cognitive
effects, and suggest directions
for future research.
Pat Costner, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace International, Ph: 1-501-253-8440, Fx:
1-501-253-5540
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British men are less fertile than hamsters
Pollution may be to blame for collapse in sperm counts in industrialised world
By Geoffrey Lean and Richard Sadler
17 March 2002
Sperm counts are falling dramatically across Britain and the rest of
industrialised world, and scientists are increasingly convinced that
pollution is to blame.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_medical/story.jsp?story=275396
-----
Gulf Vets More Chemical-Sensitive Than Other Vets
Thu Mar 7,10:22
By Merritt McKinney
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - British soldiers who served in the Gulf War (news - web sites)
are twice as likely as other veterans to report a sensitivity to at least one chemical, UK
researchers report.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20020307/hl_nm/chemicals_1
-----
17 March 2002 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=275413
Male fertility fears over pollution in water supply
Oestrogen in rivers makes fish change sex and poses potential risk to humans
By Geoffrey Lean and Richard Sadler
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=275413
-----
April 15 - Male frogs exposed to even very low doses of a common weed
killer can develop multiple sex organs - sometimes both male and
female - researchers in California have discovered.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/
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STUDY TIES LUNG CANCER TO AIR POLLUTION, LIKENS THE RISK TO LIVING WITH A
SMOKER
Long-term exposure to the air pollution in some of America's biggest metropolitan areas
significantly raises the risk of dying from lung cancer and is about as dangerous as
living with a smoker, a study of a half-million people found. The study echoes
previous research and provides the strongest evidence yet of the health dangers of the
pollution levels found in many big cities and even some smaller ones, according
to the researchers from Brigham Young University and New York University.
Source: Associated Press,
-----
As Taken From ENN Worldwire News, 3/6/02
Endocrine disruption during embryonic, fetal, and early postnatal development a major
focus of Workshop
SCIENTISTS PUBLISH CONSENSUS STATEMENT ON ATLANTIC COAST CONTAMINANTS
For immediate release contact Dr. Susan D. Shaw, MERI@downeast.net
Blue Hill. "It is clear that a connection exists between human and wildlife exposure
to a variety of environmental contaminants, and effects on endocrine systems and/or
processes that are endocrine-dependent," so state 23 wildlife and human health
scientists who participated in the Atlantic Coast Contaminants Workshop 2000: "The
Marine Environment: Impacts on Wildlife and Human Health". The Workshop, sponsored by
the Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) in conjunction with the University of
Connecticut and The Jackson Laboratory, was convened to foster an exchange between
researchers investigating endocrine disruption in wildlife and those working on
contaminant-related effects in humans. Endocrine disrupters include toxic chlorinated
chemicals such as PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, as well as brominated flame retardants, and
metals such as mercury and lead.
The URL is not more available
-----
Some farmers prone to pesticide associated illness
NEW YORK, Mar 01 (Reuters Health) - Sheep farmers in the UK with a specific gene defect
appear to be more susceptible to being sickened by exposure to a
pesticide used to maintain the health of their flocks, according to a new report.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2002/03/01/eline/links/20020301elin006.html
-----
Smells Can Make You Sick by Rebecca Ephraim, RD, CCN
Conscious Choice, April 2002
http://www.consciouschoice.com/healthconscious/healthconscious1504.html
-----
Monday, 15 April, 2002, UK,
Children face environmental risks
Children are at greater risk than adults from pollution
By Alex Kirby
BBC News Online environment correspondent
Children across Europe have to cope with health risks they should not be expected to
tolerate, experts say.
The warning comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Environment
Agency (EEA).
In Europe, they say, hazards are increasing in the places where children live, learn and
play.
And whatever the risks to children themselves, they are likely to be the most sensitive
indicators for entire populations.
The two organisations have published a report, Children's Health And Environment: A Review
Of Evidence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1930000/1930780.stm
-----
Eggs, honey, maple syrup don't meet Canada's safety standards, says report
Ottawa Citizen , Tuesday, February 19, 2002
TORONTO - Eggs, honey and maple syrup - they are what most Canadians wake up to -
but an environmental watchdog has found these everyday breakfast foods are laced with
toxic chemicals that could make us sick.
Source: http://www.canada.com/news/story.asp?id={9B9166B7-3E2D-4F1B-978C-6D34A91CF9B6}
-----
Asthmatics Show Diverse Response to Inhaled Corticosteroids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Apr 04 - Asthma patients exhibit marked individual differences
in response to treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate or fluticasone propionate, and
as many as a third may show no significant improvement in lung function (FEV1).
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/431218
-----
WHAT'S NEW ON CBR'S ENVIRONMENTAL ESTROGENS AND OTHER HORMONES WEB SITE
MARCH 2002
Environmental Estrogens and Other Hormones Web Site
http://www.som.tulane.edu/ecme/eehome/
Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities
http://www.cbr.tulane.edu
Environmental Hormone 2002 Conference, October 17-19, New Orleans, LA
http://e.hormone.tulane.edu
========================================================
CONGRESS
From Thorkild C. Bøg-Hansen
INTERLEC 20 update
http://plab.ku.dk/tcbh/interlec20.htm
========================================================
COUNTRIES
TURKEY: WWF Turkey has designed a new web site. It's just in
Turkish at the moment,
but the English site will be ready in March.
The site is designed to be a user friendly tool for everyone who are
interested in Turkey. If you want to learn more about Turkey's nature and
rich biodiversity , please visit our new site www.wwftr.org
----
CENTRAL ASIA and CASPIAN
Announcing a new website about Central Asia and Caspian. Relevant in context with post-911
world. Some original and exclusive material posted weekly. Journalist are welcome to
send any contributions about Aral Sea disaster, Caspian ecological problems, effects of US
campaign on Afghan ecosystem and other environment related matters about Central Asia. No
payments possible but material will be posted with gratitude. www.saeedi.4t.com
========================================================
COURT/USA
Court backs US air pollution fighting standards
USA: March 27, 2002, Court backs US air pollution fighting standards
WASHINGTON - In a big win for environmentalists, a U.S. appeals court
yesterday rejected an attempt by business groups to overturn federal
clean-air standards that would clamp down on pollution.
The decision would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to protect
the public health by limiting pollution levels across the country for smog
and fine, sooty particles - although other legal issues remain to be
resolved. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/15214/story.htm
-----
Jury finds Monsanto liable for releasing tons of PCB
Firm covered up pollution for more than 40 years
Michael Grunwald, Washington Post 23feb02
An Alabama jury has found that Monsanto Co. engaged in "outrageous" behaviour
by releasing tons of polychlorinated biphenyl into the city of Anniston and
covering up its actions for decades, handing 3,500 local residents a huge
victory in a landmark environmental lawsuit.
MORE: www.mindfully.org/Industry/Monsanto-PCBs-Anniston.htm
========================================================
EUROPE
European Environment Agency
Information to improve Europe's environment
Press release EURO 08/02 , Copenhagen and Brussels, 15 April 2002
Contaminated environment jeopardizes our children's health
WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Environment Agency present Children's
health and environment: a review of evidence
http://org.eea.eu.int/documents/newsreleases/our_childrens_health-en
========================================================
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).
Report version: Human Health, September 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary
meeting, Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out141_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Trichloroethylene. Report version:
Environment, September 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary meeting,
Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out140_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride
(DODMAC). Report verion: Environment, Draft of 16 July 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th
CSTEE plenary meeting, Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out139_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Cyclohexane. Report verion:
Environment, Draft 2 - October 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary meeting,
Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out138_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Naphthalene. Report verion: Human
Health, Final Report, October 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary meeting,
Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out137_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Ethyl acetoacetate. Report
verion: Human Health, Draft - 1 August 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary
meeting, Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out136_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Trichloroethylene. Report verion:
Human Health, September 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary meeting,
Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out135_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Cyclohexane. Report verion: Human
Health, September 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE plenary meeting, Brussels, 09
January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out134_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of 3,4-Dichloroaniline. Report
verion: Environment ,Draft – 18 July 2001. Opinion expressed at the
29th CSTEE plenary meeting, Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out133_en.pdf
- Opinion on the results of the Risk Assessment of Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
(DEHP). Report verion: Environment, September 2001. Opinion expressed at the 29th CSTEE
plenary meeting, Brussels, 09 January 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/out132_en.pdf
========================================================
INDUSTRY
From Coalition against BAYER-dangers:
Los Angeles Times
Aspirin Can't Cure Bayer's Aches
LEVERKUSEN, Germany -- Aspirin made Bayer famous more than a century ago, and its Cipro
remedy against anthrax cast it in the limelight again last year, but pharmaceuticals
caused the German conglomerate's worst annual performance in a decade.
Bayer was forced to pull Lipobay, marketed in the United States as Baycol, when it
was linked to muscle deterioration and the deaths of at least 100 users. The company faces
a bevy of lawsuits and is effectively shut out of the lucrative cholesterol treatment
market. The Baycol withdrawal alone depressed sales by more than $600 million last
year--the amount the company lost in net sales across the board. (….).
Although Bayer's economic problems are daunting, the company's troubles don't stop
at the bottom line. As an active manufacturer in Third World countries with little or no
environmental protections, Bayer has amassed a global network of critics, including Ralph
Nader and the vocal watchdog agency in neighboring Cologne, the Coalition Against Bayer
Dangers.
"Few companies in the world have developed such a bad reputation as Bayer, yet
they seem oblivious to criticism or public pressure. Their usual reaction is to sue their
accusers rather than address the problems," said the coalition's spokesman, Phillip
Mimkes.
He recalls that Bayer was one of the last German companies to be pressed into contributing
to a $5-billion industry-government fund to compensate World War II-era slave laborers,
although the company was an eager beneficiary of conscripted workers.
Nader's Multinational Monitor in January ranked Bayer one of the world's 10 worst
companies, based on its environmental and trade policies, an accusation Reinert described
as frivolous and unfounded.
By CAROL J. WILLIAMS, TIMES STAFF WRITER
full article: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-000018911mar15.story
Coalition against BAYER-dangers, website: www.CBGnetwork.org
E-mail: CBGnetwork@aol.com, Fax: (+49) 211 333 940 Tel: (+49) 211 333 911
========================================================
POLITIC INTERNATIONAL
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Stockholm Convention is a
global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic
pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long
periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of
living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. POPs circulate globally and
can cause damage wherever they travel. In implementing the Convention, Governments
will
take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. For a
copy of the treaty document, see http://www.chem.unep.ch/sc/
.
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ONLINE-Search
One of the best ways to find American government documents on the web is to go to
www.google.com/unclesam .
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end of newsletter/English/7/21.04.2002
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